10 Best English Footballers of all Time

#4 David Beckham (1996-2009)

Appearances: 115

Goals: 17

Beckham banishes the ghosts of 1998 versus Argentina at the 2002 World Cup

David Beckham is arguably the most famous England footballer of all time, given his worldwide fame as a fashion icon and tenures playing first class Football in England, Spain, Italy and the United States of America.

Beckham wasn't selected for Euro 96 in England but he made his debut later that year for the 1998 World Cup qualifiers. He was the only England player to compete in every qualifying match.

However, he didn't start either of England's first two group games at the finals as manager, Glenn Hoddle stated that he did not believe the youngster was focused on the tournament. The next two games demonstrated the best and worst of the Manchester United midfielder.

He scored his first goal for his country with a trademark 30 yard free kick versus Columbia to seal England's passage through to the Second Round.

However, in one of the most famous World Cup matches ever, Beckham petulantly lashed out at Diego Simeone after he was fouled and was given a straight red card. His country subsequently lost on penalties.

Beckham's redemption was complete when after suffering abuse from his own supporters for two years, he was made Captain by incoming manager, Sven Goran Eriksson.

Another trademark free kick from Becks sent his country to the 2002 World Cup with a stoppage time goal to rescue a 2-2 draw against Greece.

He banished his personal demons with the winning goal versus Argentina in the group stages of the finals, however Beckham was struggling with injury during the tournament and ducked out of a tackle in the Quarter-Finals versus Brazil with England 1-0 up, allowing Rivaldo to equalise. A fluke free kick from Ronaldinho early in the second half eliminated England from the tournament.

Beckham once again struggled for fitness at Euro 2004 in which England were heavily favoured to do well. He missed a penalty in his country's late 2-1 defeat to France and again in the shootout in the Quarter Finals versus Portugal, condemning England to yet another last eight exit.

Beckham was fully fit by the time the 2006 World Cup rolled around and he lit up the group stages, providing assists for the winning goal versus Paraguay and both goals in a 2-0 success against Trinidad and Tobago. He scored in the Second Round versus Ecuador, making him the first England player to score at three World Cups.

Beckham suffered with illness during that game and was subbed in the next round, which England went on to lose on penalties to Portugal once more. Despite an impressive World Cup, Beckham was dropped from the squad completely be new manager, Steve McClaren.

Some fine performances for his club, Real Madrid earned Beckham a recall to the International team. He set up John Terry's goal versus Brazil in the first match held at the new Wembley Stadium and assisted Michael Owen and Peter Crouch's goals in a 2-0 qualifier versus Estonia.

However, bizarrely he was left out of England's final crucial qualifier versus Croatia. After England went 2-0 down, Beckham was brought on as a substitute and almost inspired a full comeback as he set up Crouch to score the equalising goal. However, England would concede again, ensuring they missed out on qualifying for the 2008 European Championships.

Beckham played a full role in England's successful qualification campaign for the 2010 World Cup under new boss, Fabio Capello, however injury ruled him out of the finals, denying him a fourth finals appearance. Beckham was not selected again, ending a superb International career as England's most capped outfield player.